Childhood maltreatment and perceived stress in young adults: The role of emotion regulation strategies, self-efficacy, and resilience

How childhood psychological abuse affects adolescent cyberbullying: The chain mediating role of self-efficacy and psychological resilience

BACKGROUND

Despite the recognition of the impact of childhood psychological abuse, self-efficacy, and psychological resilience on cyberbullying, there is still a gap in understanding the specific mechanisms through which childhood psychological abuse impacts cyberbullying via self-efficacy and psychological resilience.

METHODS

Based on the Social Cognitive Theory, this study aims to investigate the link between childhood psychological abuse and cyberbullying in adolescents, mediated by the sequential roles of self-efficacy and psychological resilience. The sample consisted of 891 students (M = 15.40, SD = 1.698) selected from four public secondary schools in Jiangsu Province, Eastern China. All the participants filled in the structured self-report questionnaires on childhood psychological abuse, self-efficacy, psychological resilience, and cyberbullying. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS 24.0.

RESULTS

The findings of this study are as follows: (1) Childhood psychological abuse is positively associated with adolescent cyberbullying; (2) Self-efficacy plays a mediating role between childhood psychological abuse and adolescent cyberbullying; (3) Psychological resilience plays a mediating role between childhood psychological abuse and adolescent cyberbullying; (4) Self-efficacy and psychological resilience play a chain mediation role between childhood psychological abuse and adolescent cyberbullying.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms linking childhood psychological abuse to adolescent cyberbullying, shedding light on potential pathways for targeted interventions and support programs to promote the well-being of adolescents in the face of early adversity.

Neglecting the impact of childhood neglect: A scoping review of the relation between child neglect and emotion regulation in adulthood

BACKGROUND

Childhood neglect, a prevalent form of child abuse, has significant short-term and long-term consequences on mental health.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of existing evidence on childhood neglect in relation to emotion regulation in adulthood.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Participants were not individually evaluated but we provided future directions for research based on the overview of studies.

METHODS

A systematic search strategy was conducted, resulting in the analysis of 25 selected articles. We performed an inventory of existing evidence to identify knowledge gaps.

RESULTS

The review identified the need for future research to differentiate neglect from other forms of child abuse. Longitudinal studies tracking individuals from childhood to adulthood are recommended to understand developmental trajectories and continuity. Diverse samples, with various ages, genders, and (socio-economic) backgrounds, should be included for enhanced generalizability. Geographical representation should be expanded to capture cultural variations in the association between neglect and adult emotion regulation. Furthermore, investigating other psychopathologies beyond depression in relation to neglect and emotion regulation is suggested.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this scoping review highlights the limited knowledge regarding the link between childhood neglect and adult emotion regulation and provides valuable recommendations for advancing research in this field.

Psychological maltreatment and substance use among college students: Psychological distress, belongingness, and social support

Substance use in college students is an important public health problem associated with substantial consequences. It is a critical step to examine risk and protective factors associated with substance use to develop prevention and intervention strategies for promoting college students' healthy development and well-being. The present cross-sectional study aimed to examine the mediating role of psychological distress in the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and substance use and the moderating effect of social support and belongingness in this association among college students. The sample of this cross-sectional study included 382 emerging adults. Participants included 56.8% female and 43.2% male, and they ranged in age between 20 and 29 years (M = 22.05, SD = 2.17). Findings from the study first confirmed that psychological maltreatment was a significant predictor of social support, belongingness, psychological distress, and substance use. Subsequent results revealed that psychological distress mediated the association between psychological maltreatment and college students' substance use. Also, belongingness and social support had a buffering effect on this association. The findings suggest that psychological maltreatment is a significant risk factor in developing substance use behavior and that belongingness and social support services can serve as protective resources. Based on these results, prevention and intervention services focusing on improving the feeling of belonging and social support could be conducive to the decreased substance use of psychologically maltreated emerging adults.

A meta-analysis of cognitive reappraisal and personal resilience

Cognitive reappraisal, an adaptive emotion regulation strategy that involves subjectively reinterpreting stressful and adverse experiences in a more positive manner, can enhance personal resilience. Personal resilience is a constellation of attributes that facilitate successful coping and an expeditious return to adaptive functioning after exposure to stress or adversity. This meta-analysis evaluated the association between cognitive reappraisal and personal resilience. A systematic and exhaustive search identified 64 independent samples from 55 studies (N = 29,824) that examined the correlation between cognitive reappraisal and personal resilience. A random-effects model revealed a positive summary effect (r = 0.47, p < .001), indicating that higher cognitive reappraisal was associated with higher personal resilience. Six potential meta-moderators were tested: culture, age, name of the cognitive reappraisal measure, name of the personal resilience measure, study design, and publication period. After two extreme effect size outliers were omitted, tests of publication bias did not reveal any publication bias in this line of research. This quantitative synthesis offers compelling evidence showing that cognitive reappraisal skills operate as a protective strategy against stress and adversity and, therefore, enhance personal resilience. The protective benefits of cognitive reappraisal in relation to personal resilience are relatively robust, as the correlations were statistically significant for all subgroups in the meta-moderation analyses.

Fostering resilience and well-being in emerging adults with adverse childhood experiences: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the FACE self-help app

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are linked to an increased risk of psychological disorders and lower psychosocial functioning throughout life. This study aims to evaluate the FACE self-help app, designed to promote resilience and well-being in emerging adults with a history of ACE. The app is based on cognitive-behavioural principles and consists of two thematic components: (1) self- and emotion regulation (SER) and (2) social skills and biases in social information processing (SSIP).

METHODS

The efficacy of the app will be tested through a single-centre, two-arm randomized controlled trial, comparing an active intervention group against a waiting list control group. The active group is divided into two subgroups, in which the two components are delivered in a different order to investigate differential effects in a crossover design. Up to 250 emerging adults aged 18 to 25 years with a history of ACE from a general population cohort study will be recruited. The primary objective is to test the efficacy of the app in improving resilience (primary outcome) and well-being (co-primary outcome) compared to a waiting list control group and to examine the stability of these effects. The secondary objectives include testing the efficacy of the app in improving the secondary outcomes, i.e., self-efficacy in managing emotions, problem solving, fear of evaluation, social avoidance, and self-esteem; examining the differential effects of the two components; and assessing the effect of the app on real-life data on resilience, affective states, distress in social interactions and coping strategies. Furthermore, the study will investigate potential moderators (e.g. ACE severity) and mediators of intervention outcomes (e.g. self-efficacy in managing emotions).

DISCUSSION

The results will provide insights into the efficacy of the self-help intervention as well as mediators and moderators of outcomes. Furthermore, results will extend the existing knowledge by testing the differential effects of the SER and SSIP component on the outcomes. Findings can inform improvements to the FACE app and the development of other interventions for this target group and assess its potential as a scalable, low-threshold intervention to support emerging adults with a history of ACE in their transition to adulthood.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05824182.

Influence of Childhood Psychological Maltreatment on Peer Attachment Among Chinese Adolescents: The Mediation Effects of Emotion Regulation Strategies

The formation of peer attachment is vitally important for the mental health of adolescents. Additionally, converging evidences show that childhood emotional trauma leads to poor peer attachment during adolescence. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism accounting for the link between early emotional trauma and adolescent peer attachment. Therefore, the present study is intended to examine the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment (CPM) and peer attachment among Chinese adolescents and reveal its underlying mechanism. In total, we collected data from 670 adolescents (36.5% males and 63.5% females, Mage = 16.44 years, SD = 0.78) attending two Chinese high schools. These participants completed measurement scales for CPM (emotional abuse and neglect), peer attachment, and emotion regulation strategies, including cognitive reappraisal (CR) and expressive suppression (ES). The multiple mediation models showed that emotional neglect negatively predicted adolescent peer attachment but that emotional abuse did not. Furthermore, the two emotion regulation strategies, CR and ES, completely mediated the relationship between emotional abuse and peer attachment and partially mediated the relationship between emotional neglect and peer attachment. These findings extend the existing studies on adolescent peer attachment and elucidate how childhood emotional trauma negatively influences adolescent peer attachment. In addition, the present results provide implications for improving the peer attachment of adolescents. On one hand, appropriate family intervention should be implemented to reduce CPM. On the other hand, schools can focus on improving the peer attachment of adolescents by enhancing their emotion regulation. Specifically, adolescents should be taught how to use adaptive strategies, such as CR, to regulate negative emotions.

Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences and Perceived Stress During Pregnancy: The Role of Personality

This study explores the role of personality traits in the relationship between maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and perceived stress during pregnancy. Pregnancy can be a stressful time for new mothers. ACEs have been associated with elevated levels of pregnancy stress, and have also been linked to the Big Five dimensions of personality, including a positive association with neuroticism. The Big Five have also been associated with perceptions of stress, and there is evidence to suggest that personality may be one mechanism through which ACEs disrupt psychosocial functioning during pregnancy. The sample included 177 pregnant girls and women (ages 15-40) from two prenatal clinics serving diverse and low-income patients. Participants completed online questionnaires on perceived stress, ACEs, and the Ten Item Personality Inventory. Results of a path analysis and test of mediation showed significant indirect effects from ACEs to perceived stress mediated independently by neuroticism and conscientiousness. Mothers with high ACEs reported higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness, and in turn, experienced high levels of perceived stress during pregnancy. High neuroticism and low conscientiousness associated with early adverse experiences increase the risk for perceived stress during pregnancy. Screening for ACEs may help identify mothers at risk for perinatal stress and provide the opportunity for additional support for maternal emotion regulation and mental health.

Childhood exposure to parental threatening behaviors and anxiety in emerging adulthood: Indirect effects of perceived stress

BACKGROUND

Although childhood exposure to parental threatening behaviors is associated with elevated anxiety in emerging adulthood, the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored. Perceived stress-a subjective experience comprised of feelings of helplessness (being unable to cope or exert control) and poor self-efficacy (confidence in one's ability to manage stressors)-is one candidate mechanism. The present investigation examined the underlying role of perceived stress in the association between childhood exposure to parental threatening behaviors and anxiety symptom severity in a sample of emerging adults.

METHODS

Participants (N = 855; Mage  = 18.75 years, SD = 1.05, range 18-24; 70.8% female) were recruited from a large state university and administered a battery of self-report questionnaires assessing constructs of interest.

RESULTS

Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses indicated that only greater childhood exposure to maternal threatening behaviors was directly associated with greater feelings of helplessness and lower self-efficacy. Furthermore, only childhood exposure to maternal threatening behaviors was indirectly associated with anxiety severity through greater feelings of helplessness and lower self-efficacy. In contrast, childhood exposure to paternal threatening behaviors was neither directly nor indirectly associated with anxiety severity.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include a cross-sectional design, use of self-report measures, and a nonclinical sample. Replicating these findings in a clinical sample and testing the hypothesized model in a longitudinal design is necessary.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings underscore the need for intervention efforts that screen for and target perceived stress in emerging adults exposed to negative maternal parenting behaviors.

The Role of Emotion Regulation, Affect, and Sleep in Individuals With Sleep Bruxism and Those Without: Protocol for a Remote Longitudinal Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Sleep bruxism (SB) is an oral behavior characterized by high levels of repetitive jaw muscle activity during sleep, leading to teeth grinding and clenching, and may develop into a disorder. Despite its prevalence and negative outcomes on oral health and quality of life, there is currently no cure for SB. The etiology of SB remains poorly understood, but recent research suggests a potential role of negative emotions and maladaptive emotion regulation (ER).

OBJECTIVE

This study's primary aim investigates whether ER is impaired in individuals with SB, while controlling for affective and sleep disturbances. The secondary aim tests for the presence of cross-sectional and longitudinal mediation pathways in the bidirectional relationships among SB, ER, affect, and sleep.

METHODS

The study used a nonrandomized repeated-measures observational design and was conducted remotely. Participants aged 18-49 years underwent a 14-day ambulatory assessment. Data collection was carried out using electronic platforms. We assessed trait and state SB and ER alongside affect and sleep variables. We measured SB using self-reported trait questionnaires, ecological momentary assessment (EMA) for real-time reports of SB behavior, and portable electromyography for multinight assessment of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity. We assessed ER through self-reported trait questionnaires, EMA for real-time reports of ER strategies, and heart rate variability derived from an electrocardiography wireless physiological sensor as an objective physiological measure. Participants' trait affect and real-time emotional experiences were obtained using self-reported trait questionnaires and EMA. Sleep patterns and quality were evaluated using self-reported trait questionnaires and sleep diaries, as well as actigraphy as a physiological measure. For the primary objective, analyses will test for maladaptive ER in terms of strategy use frequency and effectiveness as a function of SB using targeted contrasts in the general linear model. Control analyses will be conducted to examine the persistence of the SB-ER relationship after adjusting for affective and sleep measures, as well as demographic variables. For the secondary objective, cross-sectional and longitudinal mediation analyses will test various competing models of directional effects among self-reported and physiological measures of SB, ER, affect, and sleep.

RESULTS

This research received funding in April 2017. Data collection took place from August 2020 to March 2022. In all, 237 participants were eligible and completed the study. Data analysis has not yet started.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope that the effort to thoroughly measure SB and ER using gold standard methods and cutting-edge technology will advance the knowledge of SB. The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship among SB, ER, affect, and sleep disturbances. By identifying the role of ER in SB, the results may pave the way for the development of targeted interventions for SB management to alleviate the pain and distress of those affected.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/41719.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Childhood Maltreatment on Elderly Depression

Background: The present study aimed to synthesize the effects of five types of child maltreatment (physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect and emotional neglect) on late-life depression.Method: Four English-language databases (Web of Science, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES, PubMed, and Cochrane Library) and three Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and Weipu Database) were systematically reviewed, and data related to the association between child maltreatment and late-life depression were extracted. Ten studies involving 30,308 older adults were included, and the effect sizes were pooled using random-effect models.Findings: Except for sexual abuse, four types of child maltreatment were found to be positively associated with late-life depression. Physical abuse, emotional abuse and physical neglect were associated with elderly depression (PA: OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.55-1.95, p < .001; EA: OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.73-2.12, p < .001; PN: OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.15-3.67, p < .01) at a small level, and emotional neglect was associated with elderly depression (OR = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.43-7.39, p < .001) at an approximately moderate level. Gender moderated the relationship between physical neglect, emotional neglect, and late-life depression.Conclusion: Our findings highlight the significance of child maltreatment in the development of late-life depression, and underscore the need for future research and practice to explore potential ways to address late-life depression among older adults who suffered child maltreatment.

Childhood Adversity and Midlife Health: Shining a Light on the Black Box of Psychosocial Mechanisms

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poorer health, which has spurred public health efforts to reduce the number of adverse events children experience. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that all ACEs can be prevented. For adults who already experienced ACEs in childhood, what psychological, social, and behavioral intervention targets might reduce risk for negative health outcomes? To provide insight into the "black box" of psychosocial mechanisms linking ACEs to poor health, our study used data from the Dunedin Study, a longitudinal cohort assessed from birth to age 45. Mediation models (N = 859) were used to examine whether candidate psychosocial variables in adulthood explained the association between childhood ACEs and health in midlife. Potential psychosocial mediators included stressful life events, perceived stress, negative emotionality, and health behaviors. Children who experienced more ACEs had poorer health in midlife. They also had significantly more stressful life events, more perceived stress, more negative emotionality, and unhealthier behaviors as adults. These mediators were each independently associated with poorer health in midlife and statistically mediated the association between ACEs and midlife health. Health behaviors evidenced the strongest indirect effect from ACEs to midlife health. Together, these psychosocial mediators accounted for the association between ACEs in childhood and health three decades later. Public health efforts to mitigate the health consequences of ACEs could aim to reduce the stressful life events people experience, reduce negative emotionality, reduce perceived stress, or improve health behaviors among adults who experienced childhood adversity.

The role of only-child status in the effect of childhood trauma and parental rearing style on depressive symptoms in Shanghai adolescents

Introduction

After decades of the one-child policy, China changed its rules to allow two children in 2016, which altered family dynamics. Few studies have examined the emotional problems and the family environment of multi-child adolescents. This study aims to explore the role of only-child status in the impact of childhood trauma and parental rearing style on depressive symptoms of adolescents in Shanghai, China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 4,576 adolescents (M = 13.42 years, SD = 1.21) from seven middle schools in Shanghai, China. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, the Short Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran, and Children's Depression Inventory were used to evaluate childhood trauma, perceived parental rearing style, and depressive symptoms of adolescents, respectively.

Results

Results showed that girls and non-only children reported more depressive symptoms, while boys and non-only children perceived more childhood trauma and negative rearing styles. Emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and father's emotional warmth significantly predicted depressive symptoms in both only children and non-only children. Father's rejection and mother's overprotection were related to adolescents' depressive symptoms in only-child families, but not non-only child families.

Discussion

Therefore, depressive symptoms, childhood trauma, and perceived negative rearing styles were more prevalent among adolescents in non-only child families, while negative rearing styles were especially associated with depressive symptoms in only children. These findings suggest that parents pay attention to their impacts on only children and give more emotional care to non-only children.

The association of childhood maltreatment with Internet addiction: the serial mediating effects of cognitive emotion regulation strategies and depression

OBJECTIVES

Childhood maltreatment, cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERSs), and depression can be important in adolescents' Internet addiction. The current study aims to investigate the direct effect of childhood maltreatment on Internet addiction and its indirect effects via CERSs and depression.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

4091 adolescents (age M = 13.64, SD = 1.59; 48.9 % males) were recruited from a public school in China.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional design, participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short version (CERQ-Short), the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). A latent structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses.

RESULTS

After controlling for age, childhood maltreatment was directly associated with adolescents' Internet addiction (β = 0.12, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the serial mediating effect via maladaptive CERSs and depression was 0.02 (95 % CI [0.01, 0.04]), and via adaptive CERSs and depression was 0.001 (95 % CI [0.0004, 0.002]), demonstrating significant serial mediating role of CERSs and depression in this relationship. No gender difference was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that maladaptive CERSs and depression can be potential mechanisms relating childhood maltreatment to adolescents' Internet addiction, while adaptive CERSs can be a less influential factor for reducing Internet addiction.

Childhood emotional maltreatment, maladaptive coping and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Previous studies have reported childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) to be associated with specific obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, but maladaptive coping, which may be the underlying mechanism in this relationship, has not been evaluated yet. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the effects of CEM on the OC symptoms of responsibility for harm and unacceptable thoughts, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) severity, through maladaptive coping, including cognitive avoidance, experiential avoidance and emotional suppression in OCD patients (n = 360). The results showed that CEM had direct effects, as well as indirect effects via cognitive and experiential avoidance and emotional suppression, on responsibility for harm and unacceptable thoughts. In addition, the indirect effect of CEM on OCD severity was significantly mediated by the roles of cognitive avoidance and experiential avoidance. The present study adds new literature to evidence indicating the role of early childhood events in developing and maintaining OCD in which adverse maladaptive coping related to unpleasant childhood abuse plays an important role in OCD. More precisely, OCD patients who experience a history of CEM may further use maladaptive coping to cope with their distress and subsequently experience responsibility for harm, unacceptable thoughts and severe OCD.

The Role of Childhood Abuse and Psychological Symptoms in Discriminating Frequency of Drug Use and Self-Harm in Incarcerated Men Convicted of Robbery

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of prior childhood abuse and current psychological symptoms on the frequency of drug use and self-harming behavior among a group of male prisoners convicted of robbery. The sample consists of 127 men convicted of armed, aggravated, unarmed/forced robbery, who were held in Metris T-type closed penitentiary state correctional institution. History of childhood abuse was assessed with The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and psychological symptoms were assessed with The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Frequency of drug use was assessed with three questions and self-harm was assessed through four questions both on the self-completed demographic information form. Among 127 men recruited, history of childhood abuse and psychological symptoms provided discrimination concerning frequency of drug use and self-harm. The rate of self-harming individuals in the present study was relatively high compared to the literature. There was a significant correlation between CTQ total and subscale scores and BSI total and subscale scores, except for the emotional neglect subscale.

Psychological maltreatment and depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents: A multiple mediation model

BACKGROUND

Adolescents are at risk of depression, and recent studies also found a high prevalence of depression among Chinese adolescents. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the risk and protective factors of depression among Chinese adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the direct effect of psychological maltreatment on depression symptoms in adolescents and the mediating roles of emotion regulation and social support in their relationship.

METHOD

Data were collected from Chinese senior high school students (N = 687, 36.5 % males and 63.5 % females, M_age = 16.44 years, SD = 0.78) who completed the measures of psychological maltreatment, depression symptoms, perceived social support, and emotion regulation strategies, including cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression.

RESULTS

The results indicated that: (a) psychological maltreatment was positively correlated with depression symptoms; (b) the two emotion regulation strategies and perceived social support partially mediated the link between psychological maltreatment and depression symptoms separately; (c) the two emotion regulation strategies and perceived social support partially mediated the link between psychological maltreatment and depression symptoms in a sequential pattern.

CONCLUSION

Psychological maltreatment was positively associated with depression symptoms in adolescents. Emotion regulation and perceived social support both significantly mediated the relationship between psychological maltreatment and depression symptoms.

The relationship between childhood maltreatment and adolescents' cyberbullying victimization: The new phenomenon of a "cycle of victimization"

BACKGROUND

The research community is showing an increasing concern about the adverse outcomes of childhood maltreatment for adolescents. However, whether childhood maltreatment is associated with cyberbullying victimization and what the underlying mechanisms of this relationship are remain to be identified.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the relationship between childhood maltreatment and cyberbullying victimization and whether self-compassion and fear of missing out (FoMO) can simultaneously moderate this relationship among adolescents.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

A sample of 1025 Chinese adolescents (50.8 % male participants, age = 15.50 ± 0.52 years) completed questionnaires regarding childhood maltreatment, cyberbullying victimization, self-compassion, and FoMO.

METHODS

Our hypotheses were tested by correlation analysis and Model 3 of the PROCESS macro.

RESULTS

Childhood maltreatment significantly predicted adolescents' cyberbullying victimization (β = 0.28, p < .001). High self-compassion weakened the relationship between childhood maltreatment and cyberbullying victimization (β = -0.10, p < .001). Furthermore, self-compassion and FoMO simultaneously interacted with childhood maltreatment to predict cyberbullying victimization (β = 0.08, p < .001). Specifically, high FoMO weakened the moderating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and cyberbullying victimization. Childhood maltreatment significantly predicted cyberbullying victimization among adolescents high in FoMO, regardless of self-compassion levels. In contrast, childhood maltreatment non-significantly predicted cyberbullying victimization when adolescents were high in self-compassion and low in FoMO.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood maltreatment is positively associated with cyberbullying victimization. Moreover, increasing self-compassion and decreasing FoMO can mitigate the effect of childhood maltreatment on cyberbullying victimization.

Psychological Processes Associated With Resilience in UK-Based Unpaid Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background

Unpaid caregivers have faced and dealt with additional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the psychological processes associated with their resilience is warranted. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between resilience with mental distress, emotion regulation strategies (i.e., reappraisal and suppression) and interpretation bias in adult caregivers.

Method

Participants were living in the UK, aged 18+, and consisted of 182 unpaid caregivers of an adult aged 18+ living with a long-term health condition, and 120 non-caregivers. Data were collected in an online study during the first national UK COVID-19 lockdown (May and September 2020). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses explored whether emotion regulation strategies and interpretation bias explained unique variance in levels of resilience in caregivers whilst controlling for anxiety and depression.

Results

Compared to non-caregivers, caregivers reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, negative interpretation bias and lower levels of resilience. Emotion regulation strategies did not differ between groups. Within caregivers, greater resilience was associated with lower mood disturbance, a positive interpretation bias, and greater use of cognitive reappraisal and lower use of suppression strategies to regulate emotions. Emotion regulation and interpretation bias together predicted an additional 15% of variance in current levels of resilience.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that psychological mechanisms such as emotion regulation strategies, particularly reappraisal, and interpretation bias are associated with resilience in caregivers. Although preliminary, our findings speak to exciting clinical possibilities that could form the target of interventions to improve resilience and lower mental distress in unpaid caregivers.

Childhood Maltreatment and Life Satisfaction in Chinese Student Preschool Teachers: The Roles of Resilience and Social Support

Although some studies have explored the relationships between childhood maltreatment and life satisfaction, few studies have explored the pathways between those two variables in a sample of student preschool teachers. The current study, thus, attempts to explore the relationships between childhood maltreatment and life satisfaction in Chinese student preschool teachers and to examine the roles of resilience and social support in those relationships. A total of 1218 students majoring in early childhood education were recruited from three Chinese universities to attend this study. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect data, and structural equation modeling was used to perform data analysis. Results showed that childhood maltreatment was negatively associated with life satisfaction in Chinese student preschool teachers; resilience and social support mediated those relationships. The findings suggest that childhood maltreatment not only has a direct relationship with life satisfaction, but also has an indirect relationship with life satisfaction via resilience and social support. Childhood maltreatment should be considered when enrolling student preschool teachers, and increasing levels of resilience and social support should be meaningful approaches when cultivating student preschool teachers who have experienced childhood maltreatment.

Early-life social stress induces permanent alterations in plasticity and perineuronal nets in the mouse anterior cingulate cortex

Child maltreatment disrupts trajectories of brain development, but the underlying pathways are unclear. Stressful stimuli in early life interfere with maturation of local inhibitory circuitry and deposition of perineuronal nets (PNNs), specialized extracellular matrix structures involved in the closure of critical periods of development. Alterations in cortical PNN and parvalbumin (PV) following early-life stress (ELS) have been detected in human and animal studies. Aberrations in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) are the most consistent neuroimaging findings in maltreated people, but the molecular mechanisms linking ELS with ACC dysfunctions are unknown. Here, we employed a mouse model of early social threat to test whether ELS experienced in a sensitive period for ACC maturation could induce long-term aberrations of PNN and PV development in the ACC, with consequences on plasticity and ACC-dependent behavior. We found that ELS increased PNN but not PV expression in the ACC of young adult mice. This was associated with reduced frequency of inhibitory postsynaptic currents and long-term potentiation impairments and expression of intense object phobia. Our findings provide information on the long-term effects of ELS on ACC functionality and PNN formation and present evidence for a novel neurobiological pathway underlying the impact of early adversity on the brain.

Positive Cognitive Reappraisal in Stress Resilience, Mental Health, and Well-Being: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Stress-related psychopathology is on the rise, and there is a pressing need for improved prevention strategies. Positive appraisal style, the tendency to appraise potentially threatening situations in a positive way, has been proposed to act as a key resilience mechanism and therefore offers a potential target for preventive approaches. In this article, we review n  =  99 studies investigating associations of positive cognitive reappraisal, an important sub-facet of positive appraisal style, with outcome-based resilience and relevant other outcomes, which are considered resilience-related. According to the studies reviewed, positive cognitive reappraisal moderates the relation between stressors and negative outcomes and is positively related to several resilience-related outcomes. It also mediates between other resilience factors and resilience, suggesting it is a proximal resilience factor.

Childhood psychological maltreatment and internet gaming addiction in Chinese adolescents: Mediation roles of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and psychosocial problems

BACKGROUND

Internet gaming addiction (IGA) is a global concern, especially among young children. There have been some suggestions that childhood psychological maltreatment influences the development of IGA, but evidence for this has thus far been lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to investigate the association between childhood psychological maltreatment and IGA in adolescents and the mediation roles of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and psychosocial problems (depression and social anxiety).

METHODS

This study recruited 1280 (girls = 690) middle school students with a mean age of 16.09 ± 0.98 years old. All participants undertook a standardized assessment of childhood psychological maltreatment, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, psychosocial problems (depression and social anxiety), and IGA.

RESULTS

We examined whether the effect of childhood psychological maltreatment on IGA was mediated by maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and psychosocial problems (depression and social anxiety). Both parallel and sequential mediation analysis showed that maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and depression mediated the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and IGA.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood psychological maltreatment is positively associated with IGA in adolescents. Maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and depression both significantly mediated the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and IGA.

How do physical and emotional abuse affect depression and problematic behaviors in adolescents? The roles of emotional regulation and anger

BACKGROUND

Rates of physical and emotional abuse are high among Chinese adolescents and elicit distinct psychopathologies. However, it remains unclear whether physical and emotional abuse relate to depression and behavior problems similarly or differently. In addition, few studies have examined if they share underlying mechanisms in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

This study used longitudinal data to examine the mechanisms underlying the effect of physical and emotional abuse on depression and problematic behaviors through emotional regulation and anger in Chinese adolescents.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS

Participants were 1689 adolescents (with age ranging from 12 to 17 years) from junior and senior high schools in Zhejiang Province, China.

METHODS

Participants completed a childhood trauma questionnaire and an emotion regulation strategies questionnaire at time 1 (T1), and they completed an anger scale, a depression scale, and a problematic behaviors questionnaire one year later (T2). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the research hypotheses.

RESULTS

Physical abuse had direct positive effects on problematic behaviors but not on depression. However, emotional abuse had direct effects on depression and problematic behaviors, and indirect effects on both psychopathologies through expressive suppression and anger.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical and emotional abuse had distinct effects and influencing mechanisms on adolescents' externalizing and internalizing problems. Compared with physical abuse, emotional abuse elicited more harms and subsequent psychopathologies.

Moderate Weight Loss is associated with Reductions in LH Pulse Frequency and Increases in 24-hour Cortisol with no change in Perceived Stress in Young Ovulatory Women

OBJECTIVE

Determine the potential role of cortisol as an indicator of both metabolic and psychosocial stress and its relation to LH pulse dynamics during a three-month diet and exercise intervention causing moderate weight loss.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled trial that demonstrated the causal role of low energy availability in the disruption of the menstrual cycle. Twenty-one women aged (18-24 yrs), BMI (21.7± 1.9 kg·m^-2), completed a baseline menstrual cycle and three intervention menstrual cycles of a controlled diet and supervised exercise program. Twenty-four-hour LH pulse dynamics (q10 min) and diurnal patterns of cortisol (q60 min) as well as Perceived Stress Scale scores were determined in the early follicular phase prior to the intervention and in the post intervention cycle. Pre to post comparisons were determined with paired t-tests, and Pearson bivariate correlations assessed associations.

RESULTS

Subjects lost weight (-2.8±1.97 kg) and LH pulse frequency declined pre=0.79±0.23 pulses·hr^-1 to post=0.60±0.29 pulses·hr^-1 (p=0.014). Weight loss was associated with an increase in cortisol AUC R=-0.473, (p=0.03) and the decline in LH pulse frequency R= 0.523; (p=0.026). Increases in cortisol AUC were associated with declines in LH pulse frequency R=-0.472; (p=0.048). The morning cortisol rise AUC increased from pre=2140±878 µg·dL^-1 · day to post=2556±1067 µg·dL^-1 · day (p=0.034). Changes in PSS were not associated with changes in LH or cortisol.

CONCLUSION

The initial perturbation of LH pulsatility with moderate diet and exercise is associated with metabolically driven increases in cortisol AUC with no influence of psychological stress.

"If You Love Me, You Must Do..." Parental Psychological Control and Cyberbullying Perpetration Among Chinese Adolescents

Considering the prevalence of cyberbullying, the current study explores the factors associated with its perpetration. Using self-determination theory, the association of parental psychological control (PPC) with cyberbullying perpetration was examined. To explore this influencing mechanism further, psychological reactance (PRt) and materialism were examined as two mediators in this relationship. Moreover, according to the diathesis-stress model and cognitive model of resilience, psychological resilience (PRl) was examined as a moderator in the direct and indirect link between PPC and cyberbullying perpetration. To test our expectations, 804 adolescents (M = 13.12, SD = 1.16) participated in the current study using a cross-sectional design and multiple questionnaires, namely, the Chinese version of the Parental Control Questionnaire, Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory, Hong Psychological Reactance Scale, Material Values Scale for Children, and Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents. Correlation analysis indicated that PPC, PRt, materialism, and cyberbullying perpetration were significantly and positively correlated, and were significantly and negatively related to PRl. Moderated mediation analysis revealed that PRt and materialism played multiple mediating roles in the relationship between PPC and cyberbullying perpetration. Multiple mediation analysis indicated that PRl weakened the direct associations of PPC, PRt, and materialism with cyberbullying perpetration, further alleviating the indirect and direct associations of PPC with cyberbullying perpetration, supporting the moderated mediation model. Specifically, adolescents high in PPC were more likely to have stronger PRt and materialistic values, which further triggered cyberbullying perpetration. PRl can protect adolescents high in PPC from cyberbullying perpetration via weakening the direct and indirect associations of PPC with cyberbullying.

Investigating emotion regulation and social information processing as mechanisms linking adverse childhood experiences with psychosocial functioning in young swiss adults: the FACE epidemiological accelerated cohort study

Background

Adverse childhood experiences increase the risk for psychological disorders and lower psychosocial functioning across the lifespan. However, less is known about the processes through which ACE are linked to multiple negative outcomes. The aim of the FACE epidemiological study is to investigate emotion regulation (emotional reactivity, perseverative thinking and self-efficacy for managing emotions) and social information processing (rejection sensitivity, interpretation biases and social understanding) as potential mechanisms linking adverse childhood experiences and psychosocial functioning in a large population sample of young adults. It is embedded in a larger project that also includes an ecological momentary assessment of emotion regulation and social information processing and informs the development and evaluation of an online self-help intervention for young adults with a history of ACE.

Methods

The study plans to recruit 5000 young adults aged 18 to 21 from the German-speaking Swiss population. Addresses are provided by Swiss Federal Statistical Office and participants are invited by mail to complete a self-report online survey. If the targeted sample size will not be reached, a second additional sample will be recruited via educational facilities such as universities or teacher training colleges or military training schools. Three follow-ups are planned after 1 year, 2 years and 3 years, resulting in ages 18–24 being covered. The main exposure variable is self-reported adverse childhood experiences before the age of 18, measured at the baseline. Primary outcomes are psychosocial functioning across the study period. Secondary outcomes are social information processing, emotion regulation and health care service use. Statistical analyses include a range of latent variable models to identify patterns of adverse childhood experiences and patterns and trajectories of psychosocial adaptation.

Discussion

The results will contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms that link ACE with psychosocial functioning which is crucial for an improved insight into risk and resilience processes and for tailoring interventions. Furthermore, the identification of factors that facilitate or hinder service use among young adults with ACE informs healthcare policies and the provision of appropriate healthcare services.

Trial registration number: NCT05122988. The study was reviewed and authorized by the ethical committee of Northwestern and Central Switzerland (BASEC number 2021-01204).

Post-traumatic Growth and Psychological Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Serial Mediation Model

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for managing to contain, mitigate, and limit of the COVID-19. However, it is more essential to highlight the urgency and importance of evaluating social functioning and mental health status during the pandemic. College students have experienced serious problems and have had to overcome many negative situations brought about by the pandemic. Accordingly, the present study intended to use Chinese college students as sample to examine the positive adoption and changes during the ongoing COVID-19. Guided by literatures in this filed, we explored the internal mechanism of post-traumatic growth affecting psychological resilience, and considered about mediation roles of positive coping styles and cognitive reappraisal. A total of 463 college students from universities in China effectively completed online questionnaires. The result indicated that these four variables were positively correlated with each other (ps < 0.001). More importantly, our findings proved a direct and positive effect on psychological resilience. Positive coping styles and cognitive reappraisal, respectively, mediated the relationship between post-traumatic growth and psychological resilience. Over all, the hypothesized serial model conclusively fits the data: students with high-level post-traumatic growth tended to report increased use of positive coping strategies, which further facilitated their cognitive reappraisal, and subsequently, promoted their psychological resilience. The findings obtained in this study will provide a theoretical basis and possible viable strategies for both targeted crisis intervention and psychological trauma recovery plans.

Network analysis of cognitive emotion regulation strategies and depressive symptoms in young adults after recent stressful events: The moderation of childhood maltreatment

BACKGROUND

The present study explored the interrelations between cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS) and depressive symptoms to better understand how young adults with childhood maltreatment (CM) are more prone to depression after recent stressful events.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 342 young adults (M = 19.51 years, range = 17-28 years, 64% female) who had experienced stressful events in the last six months. Network analysis was used to examine the interrelations between nine CERS and four depressive symptom clusters in exposed ('CM'; n = 182) and not exposed to CM groups ('non-CM'; n = 160).

RESULTS

We found that somatic symptoms, rumination, putting into perspective, and catastrophizing had high expected influence (EI) in the whole sample network. Global and local connectivity differed between the CM and non-CM groups. More specifically, the structure of the CM network had higher overall connectivity than the structure of the non-CM network. Considering local connectivity, depressed affect, rumination, positive refocusing, and putting into perspective had marginally significantly higher levels of EI in the CM network. We found some significant differences in partial correlations among CERS, such as stronger positive correlations between positive refocusing-catastrophizing, rumination-refocus on planning, and putting into perspective-blaming others in the CM group.

LIMITATIONS

This study was cross-sectional and limited by the use of retrospective self-report tools.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings shed light on the complex interrelations between CERS and depressive symptoms in the context of recent stressful events. Additionally, they highlight potential directions for population-based interventions.

Risk factors of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: The roles of coping style and emotional regulation

BACKGROUND

When COVID-19 emerged in China in late 2019, most citizens were home-quarantined to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Extended periods of isolation have detrimental effects on an individual's mental health. Therefore, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic should include assessment of psychological distress and its known risk factors, including coping style and emotional regulation.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study surveyed 6,027 Chinese university students recruited from May 25, 2020 to June 10, 2020. In addition to sociodemographic information, participant data were collected using online versions of the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ).

RESULTS

The incidence of psychological distress was found to be 35.34%. Negative coping style and expressing panic about COVID-19 on social media were the most important predictors of psychological distress. In addition, being male, being a "left-behind child" or having a monthly household income lower than 5000 CNY or higher than 20,000 CNY were associated with higher psychological distress.

CONCLUSION

The psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic could be serious. Psychological interventions that reduce nervousness and negative coping style need to be made available to home-quarantined university students, especially those who are male, are "left-behind", have a monthly household income lower than 5000 CNY or higher than 20,000 CNY, or express panic on social media.

Childhood maltreatment, subjective social status, and health disparities in bereavement

BACKGROUND

Spousal bereavement can lead to adverse health outcomes; however, not all widow(er)s experience the same degree of health problems. Thus, it is important to understand the contribution of disparities (e.g., childhood maltreatment and subjective social status) that may underlie adverse health outcomes that arise following bereavement.

METHODS

We collected data from 130 spousally bereaved individuals at 3-time points (3 months post-loss, 4 months post-loss, and 6 months post-loss). Using mixed models, we assessed the interaction of childhood maltreatment, subjective social status, and time to predict changes in proinflammatory cytokine production, depressive symptoms, grief symptoms.

RESULTS

We found a significant interaction between childhood maltreatment, subjective social status, and time predicting proinflammatory cytokine production (beta > -0.01, p = 0.048), depressive symptoms (beta = 0.008, p = .010), and grief symptoms (beta = 0.001 p = .001).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the role of disparities related to childhood maltreatment and subjective social status on adverse health outcomes following spousal bereavement.

Relationships Among Childhood Maltreatment, Limbic System Dysfunction, and Eating Disorders in College Women

The mechanisms linking childhood maltreatment and eating pathology are not fully understood. We examined the mediating role of limbic system dysfunction in the relationships between three forms of childhood maltreatment (parental psychological maltreatment, parental physical maltreatment, and parental emotional neglect) and eating disorder symptoms. A convenience sample of college women (N = 246, M age = 19.62, SD = 2.41) completed measures of maltreatment (Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales and the Parental Bonding Instrument), limbic system dysfunction (Limbic System Questionnaire), and eating pathology (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire). We hypothesized that there would be an indirect effect of each type of childhood maltreatment on eating disorder symptoms via limbic system irritability. Results generally supported the hypotheses. Examination of the individual paths that defined the indirect effect indicated that higher reported childhood maltreatment was associated with greater limbic irritability symptoms, and higher limbic irritability symptomatology was related to higher total eating disorder scores. There were no significant direct effects for any of the proposed models. Findings are in line with research supporting the role of limbic system dysfunction as a possible pathway in the maltreatment-eating disorder link. Given that limbic system dysfunction may underlie behavioral symptoms of eating disorders, efforts targeting limbic system dysfunction associated with child maltreatment might best be undertaken at an early developmental stage, although interventions for college women struggling with eating disorders are also crucial.

Promoting brain health through physical activity among adults exposed to early life adversity: Potential mechanisms and theoretical framework

Adverse childhood experiences such as abuse, neglect, and poverty, profoundly alter neurobehavioral development in a manner that negatively impacts health across the lifespan. Adults who have been exposed to such adversities exhibit premature and more severe age-related declines in brain health. Unfortunately, it remains unclear whether the negative effects of early life adversity (ELA) on brain health can be remediated through intervention in adulthood. Physical activity may represent a low-cost behavioral approach to address the long-term consequences of ELA on brain health. However, there has been limited research examining the impact of physical activity on brain health among adults with a history of ELA. Accordingly, the purpose of this review is to (1) review the influence of ELA on brain health in adulthood and (2) highlight evidence for the role of neurotrophic factors, hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary axis regulation, inflammatory processes, and epigenetic modifications in mediating the effects of both ELA and physical activity on brain health outcomes in adulthood. We then propose a theoretical framework to guide future research in this area.

Roles of Family Stress, Maltreatment, and Affect Regulation Difficulties on Adolescent Mental Health During COVID-19

This study examines the indirect effects of affect dysregulation and suppression on the associations between family stress from confinement, maltreatment, and adolescent mental health during COVID-19. We examined both adolescent and caregiver perspectives to yield a more well-rounded understanding of these associations than afforded in previous research. Using both adolescent (N = 809, Mage = 15.66) and caregiver (N = 578) samples, family stress from confinement, exposure to physical and psychological maltreatment, affect dysregulation and suppression, and youth internalizing and externalizing symptoms were measured in the summer of 2020, following three months of stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19. Affect dysregulation partially accounted for the associations between family stress from confinement and psychological maltreatment on both internalizing and externalizing symptoms for youth and caregiver report. Suppression partially accounted for the associations between family stress and maltreatment on internalizing and externalizing symptoms in the youth sample, but only for internalizing symptoms in the caregiver sample. Understanding family predictors of adolescents' mental health concerns and their underlying mechanisms, affect dysregulation and suppression, can inform mental health interventions during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gender differences in the relationships between different types of childhood trauma and resilience on depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents

Growing studies have paid attention to the relationships between childhood trauma, resilience and depressive symptoms. Depression is more common in girls, while gender differences in these associations have been rarely studied. Yet the study will be beneficial for prevention and intervention of depression in adolescents. The aim of this study is to examine gender differences in the effects of different types of childhood trauma and resilience on depressive symptoms. Data was collected from 6510 students (3408 males, aged 10-17 years) in Wuhan, Hubei, China from 2015 to 2016. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire assessing childhood trauma, resilience, and depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine gender differences in the relationships between childhood trauma, resilience and depressive symptoms. We found that childhood trauma was positively related to depressive symptoms for both genders, but the relationship in females was stronger than in males. No significant gender difference was found in the independent effect of resilience to depressive symptoms. Resilience moderated the effects of emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse on depressive symptoms in both males and females. However, the interaction effect of resilience with emotional abuse on depressive symptoms was stronger in females compared to males. Our findings revealed gender differences in the links between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms among adolescents, and the interaction effect of resilience and childhood emotional abuse on depressive symptoms was gender-specific. These provide the basis for gender-special prevention and intervention measures for depressive symptoms in adolescents.

A Conditional Process Model to Explain Somatization During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic: The Interaction Among Resilience, Perceived Stress, and Sex

Background

More than 15% of Chinese respondents reported somatic symptoms in the last week of January 2020. Promoting resilience is a possible target in crisis intervention that can alleviate somatization.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the relationship between resilience and somatization, as well as the underlying possible mediating and moderating mechanism, in a large sample of Chinese participants receiving a crisis intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic.

Methods

Participants were invited online to complete demographic information and questionnaires. The Symptom Checklist-90 somatization subscale, 10-item Connor–Davidson resilience scale, and 10-item Perceived Stress Scale were measured.

Results

A total of 2,557 participants were included. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that lower resilience was associated with more somatic symptoms (p < 0.001). The conditional process model was proved (indirect effect = −0.01, 95% confidence interval = [−0.015, −0.002]). The interaction effects between perceived stress and sex predicted somatization (b = 0.05, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Resilience is a key predictor of somatization. The mediating effects of perceived stress between resilience and somatization work in the context of sex difference. Sex-specific intervention by enhancing resilience is of implication for alleviating somatization during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic.

Psychological Maltreatment and Spiritual Wellbeing in Turkish College Young Adults: Exploring the Mediating Effect of College Belonging and Social Support

The purpose of this study is to examine whether college belonging and social support mediate the association between childhood psychological maltreatment and spiritual wellbeing among college young adults. The sample of the present study included 493 college young adults (33% male), ranging in age between 18 and 39 years (M = 21.35, SD = 2.56). The results showed that psychological maltreatment not only had a direct predictive effect on spiritual wellbeing but also an indirect predictive effect on spiritual wellbeing through college belonging and social support. These findings present important implications for research and practices by providing an in-depth understanding of the association between psychological maltreatment and spiritual wellbeing among Turkish college students.

The indirect effect from childhood maltreatment to PTSD symptoms via thought suppression and cognitive reappraisal

BACKGROUND

Emotion regulation strategies may help explain the risk of experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among adults with a history of child maltreatment. However, no study to date has examined the roles of both thought suppression and cognitive reappraisal in the association between childhood maltreatment and PTSD symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

The current study sought to understand the associations between childhood maltreatment, thought suppression, cognitive reappraisal, and PTSD symptoms while controlling for negative affect and gender.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Data were collected on 660 university students (71 % female) ages 18-25 between 2013 and 2014. Participants completed self-report measures of childhood maltreatment, PTSD symptoms, and emotion regulation strategies.

METHOD

A structural equation model was tested to examine the direct and indirect effects from childhood maltreatment to PTSD symptoms via thought suppression and cognitive reappraisal, over and above gender and negative affect.

RESULTS

Childhood maltreatment was directly associated with PTSD symptoms (β = 0.28, SE = 0.04, p < .001). Childhood maltreatment also had a significant indirect effect on PTSD via cognitive reappraisal (β = 0.01, CI 95 % [0.00, 0.03]), but not through thought suppression, although (β = 0.01, CI 95 % [-0.00, 0.04]) thought suppression was significantly positively associated with PTSD symptoms (β = 0.21, SE = 0.04, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The present study sheds light on the effect of childhood maltreatment and two commonly used emotion regulation strategies on PTSD symptoms.